CAESALPINIA DECAPETALA

Hepatoprotective activity of ethanol extract

Abstract

Members of genus Caesalpinia are found world widely in tropical and temperate areas. Caesalpinia species have various
pharmacological actions that include antidiabetic, antiulcer, anticancer, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial and antirheumatic. Objectives:
To assess the Hepatoprotective activity of ethanol extract of Caesalpinia decapetala. Duration of study: September 2012 to November
2012. Setting: Pharmacology and Pathology departments of Independent medical college and animal House of university of agriculture,
Faisalabad. Study design: Experimental study. Materials and Methods: Hepatoprotective activity was determined by measuring the liver
marker enzymes like Bilirubin, AST, ALT and ALK levels and then hepatic biopsy to see any structural changes. Phytochemical analysis of
plant extract indicates that it contains polyphenols and flavonoids that possess antioxidant potential and hence possess Hepatoprotective
activity. Results: Liver enzyme levels were significantly raised in rabbits receiving paracetamol and the enzyme levels were significantly
reduced in rabbits who were receiving Caesalpinia Decapetala and paracetamol comparable to silymarin and Paracetamol. Results
observation was done in concentration and dose dependent manner. Histopathological studies indicated centrizonal and focal necrosis
and ballooning in liver of rabbits treated with paracetamol. It showed only mild steatosis with sinusoidal dilatation and binucleate cells in
groups receiving Caesalpinia decapetala. Conclusions: It is concluded that Caesalpinia decapetala possesses significant
Hepatoprotective activity.